St. Petersburg, Florida - There are thousands of homeless students in Pinellas County and one school district is pushing for resistance over silence.

The Homeless Education Assistance Team for Pinellas County Schools, or HEAT, is working to decrease homelessness and lower the dropout rate.

HEAT officials say there are more than 3,400 students who go to schools like Lakewood High School and are considered homeless.

"When I think of her I think of a success story." That's what HEAT officials say about honor roll senior Rhianna Alejo. Alego, her mother, and her little sister all lost their home when a leak flooded their apartment in November.